Nemesia plant named &#39;dnesunshin&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Nemesia  cultivar named ‘DNESUNSHIN’ is disclosed, characterized by abundant, long lasting yellow flowers. Flowers are self-cleaning and do not fade in color. Plants have a compact growth habit and tolerate high temperatures. The new variety is a  Nemesia , normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES

Nemesia hybrida

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘DNESUNSHIN’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new Nemesia cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor, Gavriel Danziger, in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The objective of the breeding program was to produce new Nemesia varieties for ornamental commercial applications. The cross resulting in this new variety was made during December of 2011.

The seed parent is the, unpatented, proprietary variety referred to as Nemesia ‘NE-11-1199’. The pollen parent is the unpatented, propriety variety referred to as Nemesia ‘NE-11-1991’. The new variety was discovered in July of 2012 by the inventor in a group of seedlings resulting from the 2011 crossing, in a research greenhouse in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar was performed by vegetative cuttings. This was first performed at a research greenhouse in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel in Summer of 2012 and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type in multiple successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘DNESUNSHIN’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘DNESUNSHIN’ These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘DNESUNSHIN’ as a new and distinct Nemesia cultivar:

1. Compact growth habit. 2. Long flowering period. 3. Abundance of yellow flowers. 4. Flower color does not fade. 5. Tolerant to high temperatures above 28° C. 6. Self-cleaning flowers.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DNESUNSHIN’ are similar to plants of the seed parent, Nemesia ‘NE-11-1999’ in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘DNESUNSHIN’ differ in the following;

1. Plants of ‘DNESUNSHIN’ have yellow flowers, whereas the female parent has light orange and pink-colored flowers 2. The new variety produces smaller flowers. 3. The female parent's foliage reddens in cold temperatures whereas ‘DNESUNSHIN’ has foliage that remains unchanged (green).

4. The new variety produces more flowers per plant than the seed parent.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DNESUNSHIN’ are similar to plants of the pollen parent, Nemesia ‘NE-11-1991’ in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘DNESUNSHIN’ differ in the following;

1. Plants of ‘DNESUNSHIN’ have yellow flowers whereas, male parent variety flowers in shades of light pink. 2. Plants of ‘DNESUNSHIN’ is well branched in the summer months whereas male parent produces less branches. 3. The new variety produces larger flowers. 4. The new variety has a longer flowering period. 5. The new variety is more vigorous.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DNESUNSHIN’ are comparable to the unpatented commercial variety Nemesia ‘Sunsatia Plus Pera’. The two Nemesia varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however, the new variety ‘DNESUNSHIN’ differs in the following:

1. Earlier flowering. 2. Semi-trailing growth habit. The comparator growth habit is upright. 3. Yellow flowers. The comparator flowers are creamy yellow with lemon yellow eyes.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DNESUNSHIN’ can also be comparable to the patented commercial variety Nemesia ‘Sunsatia Plus Pomelo’. The two Nemesia varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however, the new variety ‘DNESUNSHIN’ differs in the following:

1. Yellow flowers. The comparator's flowers are honey-yellow in color. 2. Earlier flowering.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘DNESUNSHIN’ grown in a nursery, in a 13 cm pot. Age of the plant photographed is approximately 12 weeks from a rooted cutting. FIG. 2 illustrates a close up of the flowers. The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Mini Colour Chart 2001 except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘DNESUNSHIN’ plants grown in the Spring, in a greenhouse, in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The growing temperature ranged from 17° C. to 34° C. during the day and from 10° C. to 14° C. during the night. General light conditions are bright, normal sunlight. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Nemesia ‘DNESUNSHIN’ -   Propagation:     -   -   Type of propagation typically used.—Vegetative terminal             cuttings.         -   Time to initiate roots.—8-13 days.         -   Root description.—Fibrous. -   Plant:     -   -   Age of plant described.—Approximately 80 days from a rooted             cutting.         -   Pot size of plant described.—12 cm.         -   Growth habit.—Semi trailing.         -   Height.—To top of flowers: Approximately 25 cm.         -   Plant spread.—45 cm.         -   Growth rate.—Fast.         -   Characteristics of primary lateral branches.—Quantity of             Primary Lateral Branches: 5 Length of Primary Lateral             Branches: 20 cm. Form: Quadrangular Diameter: 0.4 cm. Color:             RHS Yellow-green 144 A Texture: Smooth Strength: Flexible.         -   Internode length.—1-2 cm. -   Foliage:     -   -   Leaf.—Arrangement: Opposite Quantity: Approximately 8 per             branch. Average Length: 3.5 cm. Average Width: 1 cm. Shape             of blade: Lanceolate Apex: Lanceolate Base: Obtuse Margin:             Serrate. Texture of top surface: Smooth. Pubescence: None             Aspect: 90 degrees to ground Color: Young foliage upper             side: RHS Green N 137 A Young foliage under side: RHS             Yellow-green 146 B Mature foliage upper side: RHS             Yellow-green 146 A Mature foliage under side: RHS             Yellow-green 146 D Venation: Type: Pinnate. Venation color             upper side: RHS Yellow-green 146 C Venation color under             side: RHS Yellow-green N144 C Petiole: Absent. -   Flower:     -   -   Natural flowering season.—Autumn/Winter/Spring.         -   Days to flowering from rooted cutting.—21 days.         -   Inflorescence and flower type and habit.—Raceme.         -   Rate of flower opening.—4 to 6 days from bud to fully opened             flower.         -   Flower longevity on plant.—7 days.         -   Approximate quantity of flowers per plant.—Per             inflorescence, 6 to 12 flowers.         -   Persistent or self-cleaning.—Self-cleaning.         -   Bud.—Shape: Obovate Length: 0.3 cm Diameter: 0.3 cm Color:             RHS Yellow-green 144 D.         -   Corolla.—Upper petals (upper lip): Number: 4 Length: Central             petals: 15 mm Lateral petals: 11 mm Width: Central petals: 7             mm Lateral petals: 9 mm Shape: Obtuse Aspect: 45 degrees to             stem Margin: Entire Texture: Smooth Color: When opening:             Upper surface: RHS Green-yellow 1 D Lower surface: RHS White             155 B Fully opened: Upper surface: RHS Green-yellow 1 B             Lower surface: RHS White NN155 A Lower petal (lower lip):             Length: 12 cm Width: 16 cm Shape: Cordate Apex shape:             Lobate/obtuse Color: Upper surface: RHS Yellow 3 A Lower             surface: RHS Green-yellow 1 D Palate: Length: 5 mm Width: 8             mm Color: RHS White NN 155 C Texture: Smooth Throat: Length:             9 mm Width: 6 mm Texture: Pubescence Pubescence: Puberulent             Spur: Quantity: 1 Length: 1 mm Diameter: 1 mm Texture:             Pubescence Color: RHS Greyed-red 161 A.         -   Calyx.—Form: Star-shaped with 5 sepals fused at the base.             Length: 3 mm Diameter: 7 mm Sepal: Width: 15 mm Shape:             Cuspidate Apex: Cuspidate Margin: Entire Texture: Pubescent.             Color: Upper surface: RHS Green 137 A Lower surface: RHS             Green 137 C.         -   Pedicel.—Strength: Flexible Aspect: 45 degree Length: 20 mm             Diameter: 1 mm Texture: Pubescent. Color: RHS Green 137 C             Fragrance: Yes, typical Fragrant of Nemesia. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamens.—Number (per flower): 4 Filament length: 0.2 cm             Anthers: Shape: Oval Length: 1 mm Color: RHS Yellow 8 B.         -   Pollen.—Color: RHS Yellow 7 B Amount: Abundant.         -   Pistils.—Quantity per flower: 1 Length: 2 mm Styles: Length:             1 mm Color: RHS Yellow-green 142 D Stigma: Shape: Oval             Color: RHS yellow-green 142 D. -   Other characteristics:     -   -   Seeds and fruits.—5-10 seeds per fruit.         -   Disease/pest resistance.—Neither resistance nor             susceptibility to normal diseases and pests of Nemesia             observed.         -   Temperature tolerance.—Tolerant of high temperatures to at             least 28° C. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Nemesia plant named ‘DNESUNSHIN’ as herein illustrated and described. 